SKin Desperation

[sogo747]

I am 23 i have never had bad skin til a few months ago and i just want my face back i have tried doctors and skin companies and i  just have had enough of bieng a pimply mess, all my friends have grown out of this what should i do???

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to acne skin. Acne usually lasts until age 20 or even 25. It is rare for acne to leave any scars unless picked.

Just keep you face clean by washing with a mild soap atleast twice a day.Pat it dry and do not rub it. Avoid picking or pressing the acne. You can also use Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel once at bedtime. An amount of lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of your face. If your skin becomes red or peels, you are using too much of the medicine or applying it too often.
If the symptoms persist then we may resort to other treatment options also. These include topical and oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, hormonal therapy, dermabrasion , phototherapy and laser resurfacing. Normally a combination of treatments is followed and if nothing proves effective then dermabrasion and laser therapy are useful. You can discuss these treatment options with your dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[BeeFree]

First, try figure out what you did different to cause the sudden breakouts. I've just finished dealing with the same problem and for me it was from a supplement I was taking called CLA. The oils in it threw my pH off balance and made my skin oilier than usual. Before this I hadn't had a skin issue since middle school.
Have you changed anything in your diet?
Have you made any changes to your cleansing routine? Cleansing and exfoliating too much can cause breakouts as well.
What about your makeup? Have you used any new makeup line that might not be suitable for your skin type?
Try to think back to what you did when your skin was more balanced. My guess is that you've passed the puberty stage so it's probably something you've done differently in your routine. Simple is usually the best. Don't overload your skin with too many treatments or products. Cleanse once in the morning and once at night. Eat a balanced diet and avoid too many oily or sugary foods.  
Once you notice improvement, stick with what you're doing and you should be clear again.

All the best,

Brittany